Starfish

Starfish Charities is the name of Rhonda's ministry. Rhonda is my roommate and since I have returned to Kenya I have become involved with this dynamic ministry. Starfish Charities is a ministry to the Maasai people living in a community just outside of Nairobi. I am excited that God is using me to minister to those living in poverty in Nairobi's slums and also to work among the Maasai people.

On the 10th of December Starfish sponsored their first annual Community Fair and Medical Camp on a piece of land donated to Rhonda by a Maasai Mzee (old man). In this first shot you see Taffy (who is devoted to Rhonda) watching intently as Rhonda (on the right) works with Victoria (missionary friend serving in Khazikstan) to sort through all the supplies needed for the day's events.
This building is one of several on the property and will be used as a meeting room for pastors, but for today it is our 'staging area' for setting up (later to be used as an eye exam room)...in the background you can see that the tents are being assembled...
Of course we must start the day with tea! These girls are from the community and you can tell by their yellow caps and shirts that they will be volunteering their efforts for Starfish today!
Our friend Amanda and her adopted daughter Miriam preparing for the long day!
...and the registration tent goes up!
Starfish has a borehole that supplies fresh, clean, drinkable water to the surrounding community. Whereas the ladies were forced to walk for miles to fetch river water that was often polluted, now they walk a short distance to fill jerry cans of water and even wash clothes right on the property! Many cows, goats and sheep also visit the property every day to drink from the troughs.

Today water is being carried from the main tank...
...to this smaller tank fitted with a spigot to provide fresh drinking water for all of our guests (and workers!)
Thomas will ride the shuttle bus we hired to transport people from surrounding towns...the fanny pack is for collecting the fares!
Vic and I hung signs on the various tents...
Even before we were completely set up, many of the local people came to take advantage of the free medical exams...
Amanda and Miriam manned the snack tent...that's Vic posing after we set up the sign.
I loved that we were set up in the midst of the Maasai community...here is a herd of cows and goats looking for grazing land...
And of course the choo! In the background is where the ladies are setting up to display their beadwork...
And the main event of the day will be the soccer game (or football as they call it here)...here is a group of men, eager for the games to begin, setting up the goal net.

The registration table manned and ready for business!

Lions Eye Hospital brought their van, equipment and people...
...to conduct eye exams.
Many lined up to have their eyes checked...


...and three ladies were transported at the end of the day, to the hospital for free cataract surgery - please see my entry called "Lions..." for the rest of that story!


Setting up for "market"...see the lady on the right? She is holding some medicine she received at the medical tent, which she visited prior to bringing her items to market.


Typical Kenyan...on the phone even while carrying a table! This is James Weche, who first suggested the idea of a Medical Camp and spent tireless hours while Rhonda was in the states completing much of the prep work for the event.
Okay - I took this shot to highlight the devotion of dog Taffy...he trailed Rhonda for most of the day...
We even had popcorn! We tried to give local vendors exposure to members of the community.
Vic took advantage of the market to shop for her Khazak friends!


She made friends wherever she went...
This lady made a special order pair of earrings for her...
Many people visited the Starfish tent throughout the day...watching an excellent DVD produced by James, gazing at photos and chatting with Rhonda & Jeremy - his father donated the land and he watches over the property, which is almost an hour's drive from Rhonda's house.
Lunch! Ladies from the community prepared and served food...yum!

Vic and I enjoyed the stew, rice and mokimo (made from maize, beans and potato)
Let the games begin! Kicking the ball for the little ones...
...who received a lollipop and/or squeaky ball for their efforts...
...and making goals for the bigger kids...
I think the little ones enjoyed their prizes!
Men become boys when a soccer ball is involved!
Rungu throwing for women (see the light brown stick in the air above her head?)...
...and for the men...
Tug of war for the ladies...this was too much fun!
And footraces! I truly loved seeing these always-hard-working mamas run for the goal line!

Yay! The Coca-cola truck, which was scheduled to arrive around 8am finally showed up around 4pm!!!! Better late than never? Hmmm...not too sure - you should have heard the music they were playing! Oh well, this is, after all, Africa!
Here is the shuttle bus we hired...for some of our guests this was the only way they could make it to our much awaited event as the matatus (most common form of public transportation) were on strike!
Two little girls who agreed to pick up trash for candy! they did such a great job...
Vic making more friends...
He is watching the big guys playing soccer...
...this was definitely the highlight of a very fun day!

Dancing to the music...
ditto!
The coveted trophy for the winning team...
The crowds wait for the raffle drawing...we read off about 100 numbers to award roughly 20 prizes!


Wonderful family - the Osesos...they are missionaries that Rhonda supports - and good friends.
This was truly a great day - we had many reports of positive feedback...the only negative was that it was only one day - plans for next year will include at least a two day event.

By the way - the mission statement for Starfish is "Making a difference, one life at a time" - I believe we fulfilled that vision many times over on this day!